Swansea Highway Department floats alternative to building new garage

Saturday

Jun 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMJun 30, 2012 at 11:33 PM

At the request of the Board of Selectmen, the Highway Department Building Committee has come up with a “Plan B” for improving the highway garage and making it safe for visitors and employees — without building a new structure.

Deborah Allard

At the request of the Board of Selectmen, the Highway Department Building Committee has come up with a “Plan B” for improving the highway garage and making it safe for visitors and employees — without building a new structure.

The department presented its plan to selectmen on Tuesday, after going back to the drawing board following its original proposal in April to build a new highway garage.

In April, Selectman Robert Marquis asked for an alternative to constructing a new building. Selectman Kenneth Furtado requested a road repair list for the year so Chapter 90 funds would not be taken away from repairing roads.

Both requests were met Tuesday, with about $500,000 set aside for road repairs.

The Highway Department Building Committee has been meeting weekly for about a year to come up with an improvement plan. It is advocating for a new building, instead of repairing the existing structure, and said the overall cost will be less.

“We sat down and contemplated this process for weeks,” said Tim Reynolds, chairman of the Highway Building Department.

A new building would cost roughly $1.5 million, according to Reynolds. The committee received a proposal from Cape Building in Mattapoisett, the only company to return a request for proposal. That amount would include the demolition of the old police station, construction of a new building, renovations of the current garage building for administrative office space and other site work.

Reynolds said “Plan B” would cost more than $2 million. It would include renovating the existing building and putting on an addition. It would also cover relocating the fuel depot, which would mean a new septic system would have to be installed.

The committee is estimating that with either plan, about $900,000 in Chapter 90 funds would be used. The town would pay the remainder of the bill.

Reynolds, along with Highway Director Moe Pukulis, have said that something must be done with the existing highway building.

They have cited numerous safety issues, such as repairing vehicles in the low and narrow garage close to structural supports. Also, the fuel storage is near the repair space and sparks are always an issue. There is also a lack of carbon monoxide ventilation.

A lack of space at the current site is another issue, as is the storage vehicles and equipment outside, which shortens their longevity.

Reynolds said the town will save money if vehicles can be stored properly.

Also, employees will not need to clean off plows and sanders during winter storms before working on the roads.

“You’ve given us a very comprehensive snapshot,” Selectmen Chairman Scott Ventura said after the presentation. “We have two options to think about.”

Marquis said he was not a proponent of the project, but realized that safety is a concern at the current garage. He said as far as building new structures in town, a new Town Hall was more urgently needed. He said the town needs a capital improvement plan before it makes a decision.

Furtado said it’s possible the town may be able to do both projects — a new highway garage and Town Hall — simultaneously.

“Tomorrow is here,” Ventura said. “We are in the financial shape to do it.”